Meet the 10 Startups from Betaworks’ Latest Launch Camp
▼ Summary
– Betaworks announced 10 new companies from its Camp program, a 13-week biannual residency launched in 2016 that has produced notable startups like Hugging Face.
– This year’s Camp theme is “Interfaces,” focusing on companies designing products that impact how users experience AI, with applications opening in June and Demo Day on November 4th.
– Nora is a browser extension that tracks shopping habits, while Primitive is a web app that converts voice ideas into tasks and integrates with productivity tools.
– Patina develops olfactory technology for “scent photographs” using protein folding and neural networks, and My Place offers realistic simulations of everyday life through games.
– Other companies include Putty (in stealth mode), Telepath (an AI computer without apps), Feather (a digital assistant for workflows), Nubrain (EEG data for thought translation), Presq (platform for influencers to create manufacturable products), and Intension (a tool to improve desktop focus by removing distractions).
The venture capital firm Betaworks has unveiled the ten startups selected for its latest Launch Camp, a highly competitive thirteen-week residency initiative that has previously nurtured breakout successes such as Hugging Face and Graze Social. This season’s program centers on the theme of Interfaces, spotlighting companies that are reshaping how people interact with artificial intelligence. Applications were accepted starting in June, with the camp officially kicking off in August and culminating in a Demo Day held on November 4th.
Here is a closer look at the promising startups from the 13th Betaworks Camp cohort.
Nora is a browser extension developed by Sid Banothu that monitors and analyzes online shopping behavior, offering users insights into their spending patterns.
Primitive, founded by Kasey Klines, is a web application that allows individuals to verbally express ideas, which the platform then organizes into structured task lists. It also integrates with widely used productivity applications like Notion and various calendar systems.
Patina is an olfactory technology venture established by Sean Raspet and Laura Sisson. The company combines protein folding, scent receptors, and graph neural networks to produce what it calls “scent photographs,” capturing moments through unique fragrance profiles.
My Place, by Orange, created by Helen Huang, provides a platform where users can engage with realistic simulations of everyday life through interactive gaming experiences.
Putty is currently operating in stealth mode, with no public website available. Betaworks chose to support founder Kevin Chang based on his strong alignment with the firm’s core interests, which include memory systems, ambient interfaces, and technologies that adapt to the irregular pace of daily life.
Telepath is a novel computing system developed by Stephen Hood, Josh Whiting, and Rupert Manfredi. It is built with integrated artificial intelligence and operates without traditional applications, offering a streamlined user interface.
Feather, founded by ShaoBo Zhang and Marco Yu, is a digital assistant designed to automate repetitive and time-consuming processes. One of its primary use cases is simplifying the often tedious process of searching for an apartment.
Nubrain, established by Priyanka Jain and Ingo Marquardt, utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) data to interpret human brain activity. The technology aims to convert thoughts directly into speech, text, and visual imagery.
Presq is a platform from founders Adam Saleh, Steve Burstyn, and Mikey Robins that enables influencers to upload data and generate design prompts for creating manufacturable footwear. The company has plans to broaden its offerings to include other product categories such as eyewear and home goods in the near future.
Intension, created by Conor Sanchez, O’Shea and Gabriel Duemichen, is a desktop application that helps users maintain focus by hiding distracting elements from view. It tracks attention and analyzes workflow habits to support more productive computer-based work.
(Source: TechCrunch)